not temper any of the enthusiasm felt Thursday night at the minor-league baseball team’s premier offseason event.

In fact, the team’s third-place finish in the 2011 Atlantic League Freedom Division standings served as little more than an afterthought as the Patriots shifted focus to their upcoming 15th season anniversary during their annual holiday reception at The Palace at Somerset Park.

Manager Sparky Lyle has had a more difficult time turning the page, however.

“It will probably still be with me until we win our first game,” Lyle said. “It’s something that’s never happened to us before and I think that for any manager a season like that stays with you. Thank God we have some highlights to show.”

With the help of emcee John Sterling, who is the radio voice of the New York Yankees, Lyle regaled a large crowd of Patriots’ marketing partners and other supporters with tales from his past.

Sterling and Lyle have been friends since the former Cy Young Award-winning relief pitcher joined the Yankees in a trade from the Boston Red Sox in 1972.

“He was then what he is now – the life of the party,” Sterling said of Lyle. “It’s been 40 years – 40 years! It’s not even like interviewing someone. It’s seeing an old friend.”

For the past 15 years, Lyle has been at the helm of the Patriots – producing 12 straight non-losing records until last season’s struggles. The success has been a delayed extension of a 16-year playing career that included only two losing seasons, including one with the 1980 Texas Rangers.

“Back then, we went out there every night and busted our buts but got beat by better teams,” Lyle said. “Even now, in my mind, I can’t say that about this team because I didn’t think the other teams were better than us. We had a lot of guys playing for the last time and we didn’t go out with a bang.”

The Patriot rang in the upcoming season with a bang, however.

Several high-priced items were raffled off to the crowd, while Sterling, who is friends with Patriots owner Steve Kalafer, assured fans that better times are on the horizon.

“In an independent league, you have to build up your ball club,” Sterling said. “What I would tell the Somerset Patriots’ fans is they had a poor year last year but they’ll add to their team. Everything (here) is first-class … so I am sure they will have a much better year.”

Lyle is not the only member of the coaching staff still trying to cope with last season.

“As a coach, you wonder, ‘Did I do enough to get the guys prepared?” said hitting coach Travis Anderson, who was in attendance. “I had conversations with Sparky and the answer is, ‘No. You can always do something more.’ I’m ready to go again right now.”

About Ryan Dunleavy

Ryan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.

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Mike AshmoreA lifelong resident of the Three Bridges section of Readington, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final to the UFC as a freelancer working in the area. Mike will add to his over 450 games of experience covering the Somerset Patriots by finishing out the season as MyCentralJersey.com's beat writer for the team.E-mail Mike

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan